One Crazy Bird

I changed the title of this post. I though a continuing crazy bird thread might be fun, but apparently there is little interest. Anyway, I thought there was something wrong with this fellow with his wacky behavior. But after going through these antics, he unruffled himself and sedately flew off in a dignified manner. Shot with the old Canon FD 500.

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He's sunbathing! I've seen and photographed this behavior a number of times and it's always a little disconcerting to witness. I don't know why they do it exactly, whether to rid themselves of parasites, feather maintenance, or maybe they just think they look better with a tan.

I've seen them do this as well.....I usually see Killdeer doing it. I think it is supposed to look like a wounded bird to attract predators away from their nest.

I've seen Cardinals doing it, also.

CDMOOSE wrote in post #18664465
He's sunbathing! I've seen and photographed this behavior a number of times and it's always a little disconcerting to witness. I don't know why they do it exactly, whether to rid themselves of parasites, feather maintenance, or maybe they just think they look better with a tan.

saea501 wrote in post #18664485
I've seen them do this as well.....I usually see Killdeer doing it. I think it is supposed to look like a wounded bird to attract predators away from their nest.

greenjeans wrote in post #18664513
I've seen Cardinals doing it, also.

greenjeans wrote in post #18664513
I've seen Cardinals doing it, also.

Oh yes, I have often seen them sunbathing too. But this fellow's antics I had never seen. It may have been parasites as mentioned in this quote:

"According to the British Trust for Ornithology, sunbathing serves a couple of important roles for birds. First, it helps to spread vital oils along the feathers. Second, the heat helps to drive out any parasites that may be feeding on the bird's plumage."

Maybe he just ate too many fermented berries?

drama queen. BTW- awesome photos

LOL
Really cool captures.

CaptBob wrote in post #18664803
drama queen. BTW- awesome photos

Crimzon wrote in post #18664907
LOL
Really cool captures.

Thanks for comments. Lee

Cool. Trancing.

Many theories. I see it often. Usually there is another bird nearby on lookout while one trances and then the trancer becomes the lookout while the other trances.
If there was no other bird you were probably expected to be the lookout.

Hahah...caught some great poses there. Definitely opening up to get sun on the underbits and chase off any unwanted guests...same reason you sometimes see herons doing their best sun god yoga pose. I think I'd lose it completely if I caught one of those big goofballs going full bore like this little one

These are Magpies. They don't tend to open their wings like other birds when trancing. They spend about 2 minutes like this, very still.
Hot day in summer. They know me and a friend I was with, I think we were the lookouts.

Choderboy wrote in post #18667180
These are Magpies. They don't tend to open their wings like other birds when trancing. They spend about 2 minutes like this, very still.
Hot day in summer. They know me and a friend I was with, I think we were the lookouts.

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Interesting that Down Under it is called trancing and here it is called sunning. Many species engage in this behavior albeit, as with your magpie, using different methods. Here is a shot of a GBH on another hot day. Lee

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Tele 55-210 2014-401

Both terms are used here. I like trancing as they really do appear to be in a trance.